Bringing you exclusive interviews, previews & reviews

Following a lay-off since last June, middleweight contender Luke Keeler 13-2 (5 ko’s) is finally back in action on Feb 3rd on the SK promoted ‘Collision Course’ in Citywest, Dublin. In a year that has seen a lot of change for Luke, he’s moved trainer from Paschal Collins to Pete Taylor, signed a management deal with MTK and finally has the big fight he’s craved.

Luke takes on Conrad Cummings 12-1-1 (5 ko’s) on the cracking Frampton-Donaire undercard on April 21stin a mouth-watering domestic dust-up with the WBO European strap on the line and a world ranking also on offer. Keeler says that the change has brought out the best in him as he prepares for April 21st –

“It’s going really well with Pete (Taylor), he’s a really good technical coach and has me going back to basics and using my jab more, feinting a lot and working on my footwork a lot more too. Every day in the gym im learning something new now with Pete and there’s a great buzz too with Davey Oliver Joyce and Gary Cully.

“Im finally at the stage now where im 100% focused on boxing and doing it full-time. So I can train 2-3 times a day, rest up properly and eat properly, so im doing everything right and leaving no stone unturned.”

Looking ahead to the bout with Cummings and Luke says that while he respects the Coalisland native, it’s a fight that he’s fully confident of winning –

“Yeah I think he’d be up there as one of my toughest opponents, obviously Doran was very good and I have some other decent names on the record. Looking at Cummings and id say that he’s not a huge puncher, he’s quite big and physical and he seems to get caught easily at times with his come-forward style, so I think he’ll be the perfect opponent for me. So it’s a fight that im 100% confident of winning and im delighted it finally got made.”

Luke says that being on major cards like this are what fighter’s get excited about and he wont be fazed by the crowd or TV coverage –

“I guess im used to being on big shows, obviously I’ve boxed on SKY Sports before and the Doran fight was on a big show too.

“There’s going to be a lot of supporters from Dublin coming up for it so the atmosphere should be amazing. Obviously with both of us being MTK fighters I would have preferred it to be in Dublin but that’s how it goes. At the end of the day, these are the kind of fights and shows you want to be involved in as a fighter and im really buzzing for it already.”

It’s clear from talking with Luke that he has a real buzz back for the sport and he’s really excited about what the future holds –

“Il be back out on the SK show in Citywest on Feb 3rd, so Il shake off some rust and show a few things we’ve been working on and fully focus on April then.

“Im at the stage now that im not here to hang around or re-build and have soft opponents. Im here for major fights, progress in each one and to climb the European & World rankings, starting with April 21st.

“To be honest with you, im not worried at all about the fight right now, im just back really enjoying what im doing at the moment, and I have a real buzz back for it.”